A senior minister has set herself on a collision course with a fellow Tory MP, vowing to confront him for blocking a new law that would have "saved girls' lives".

Liz Truss, who is chief secretary at the Treasury, told Sophy Ridge on Sunday that she was "absolutely appalled" by Sir Christopher Chope after he blocked a move to give courts more powers to protect children at risk of female genital mutilation.

Sir Christopher shouted "object" as the proposed law was read out for debate on Friday - halting its progress on the way to becoming statute.

The backbench MP caused uproar last year after using the same tactic to block a bid to make "upskirting" a specific criminal offence.

Image:The new law would have given more power to courts to help vulnerable children

He faces the ire of cabinet ministers, with Home Secretary Sajid Javid saying he was "very disappointed" and Health Secretary Matt Hancock calling the move "outrageous".

But Ms Truss went one step further, vowing to confront Sir Christopher personally to ensure he "changes his mind".

"I was just absolutely appalled, because we know there has only been one conviction against somebody for female genital mutilation," she told Sky News.